Flexible string damper

Abstract

Flexible string dampers can include resilient bodies configured to be inserted between strands of a bowstring or cable in archery equipment. The dampers can include openings or recesses in along their longitudinal or transverse axes to provide additional flexibility and vibration dampening. Accessories and inserts can be added to the bowstring by positioning them within the openings or recesses, and the accessories and inserts can be exchanged from the bowstring without removing the damper and without needing external equipment such as a bow press to reduce tension on the string or cable. A damper can also be used as a peep sight with a central opening configured to change in width in response to changes in tension in the strands holding it in place.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An archery bowstring damper configured to be positioned between separated strands of an archery bowstring, the damper being laterally compressible and expandable as the bowstring transitions from a rest state to a fully drawn state, the archery bowstring damper comprising:
 a body comprising:
 a main body portion having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end; 
 a first flared portion at the first end; 
 a second flared portion at the second end; 
 
 wherein the outer surface, the first flared portion, and the second flared portion form an aperture extending through the main body portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a central aperture. 
     
     
       3. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 2 , wherein the main body portion comprises a longitudinal axis, the central aperture extending partially along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       4. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 2 , wherein the body is a first body and further comprising a second body positioned in the central aperture. 
     
     
       5. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 4 , wherein the central aperture is a first central aperture and the second body comprises a second central aperture. 
     
     
       6. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 1 , wherein a wall blocks the aperture. 
     
     
       7. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
       8. The archery bowstring damper of  claim 1 , wherein the main body portion comprises a circular or annular cross-sectional profile shape, and wherein the first and second flared portions comprise a circular or annular cross-sectional profile shape. 
     
     
       9. An archery bowstring, comprising:
 a first strand and a second strand, the first and second strands extending along a longitudinal axis; 
 a compressible body positioned between the first and second strands and on the longitudinal axis, the compressible body having an opening; 
 wherein the opening is configured to at least partially collapse as longitudinal tension on the first and second strands increases. 
 
     
     
       10. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second strands are parts of a single continuous strand. 
     
     
       11. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , wherein the first strand has a diameter and the compressible body further comprises a flared end having a radial thickness greater than the diameter of the first strand. 
     
     
       12. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , further comprising a rigid accessory positioned in the opening of the compressible body, the rigid accessory being attachable to the compressible body while the compressible body is positioned between the first and second strands. 
     
     
       13. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , further comprising a compressible accessory positioned in the opening of the compressible body. 
     
     
       14. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal axis is a first longitudinal axis and the opening comprises a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       15. The archery bowstring of  claim 9 , wherein the compressible body comprises a first channel portion and a second channel portion, the first strand being positioned in the first channel portion, the second strand being positioned in the second channel portion. 
     
     
       16. An archery bow, comprising:
 a riser; 
 a first limb and a second limb, the first and second limbs being attached to the riser; 
 a bowstring including a first strand bundle extending along a longitudinal axis from the first limb to the second limb and a second strand bundle extending along the longitudinal axis from the first limb to the second limb; 
 a string damper positioned between the first and second strand bundles, the string damper having an opening oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; 
 wherein the opening has a first length when the bowstring is under a first tension and the opening has a second length when the bowstring is under a second tension. 
 
     
     
       17. The archery bow of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second lengths are measured along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length and the first tension is greater than the second tension. 
     
     
       18. The archery bow of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second lengths are measured orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first length is less than the second length and the first tension is greater than the second tension. 
     
     
       19. The archery bow of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is a through-hole. 
     
     
       20. The archery bow of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is a recess in a side of the string damper. 
     
     
       21. A bowstring damper, comprising:
 a compressible body having a perimeter; 
 a channel extending around the perimeter of the compressible body, the compressible body being attachable to a bowstring and being elongated in a longitudinal direction along the bowstring by compression of the compressible body by a portion of the bowstring in the channel; 
 wherein elongation of the compressible body by the portion of the bowstring in the channel decreases upon a decrease in longitudinal tension in the bowstring. 
 
     
     
       22. The bowstring damper of  claim 21 , wherein the compressible body comprises an aperture having a central axis configured to intersect the vertical plane. 
     
     
       23. The bowstring damper of  claim 21 , wherein the compressible body comprises an aperture, the aperture having a width configured to change in response to a change in longitudinal tension in the bowstring.